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My hiking boots died last month after 15 years. I don't even know what brand they were, but they took me through desert, mountains, swamps, rain and snow and I never got a blister, and never got wet feet. They will be missed.

Because my wife is a Macy's employee, I wanted to take advantage of her hefty discounts. Therefore, I had to choose from something sold at Macy's. I chose the Timberland Chocorua hiking boot. My son took a pair of these for a two-week hike in New Mexico and had no complaints. It's not a mid-height (which I like), and they're not lightweight by any means, but for 40% off list ($130), I thought I'd give them a try. It would be nice to think I won't have to buy another pair for 15 years.

They are comfy, but the real test is in the field. What annoys me is how different the sizing is these days. I used to wear a size 11 1/2 shoe, and that was the only size I bought. Nowadays, I wear anywhere between a 10 1/2 and a 13 1/2. What happened to the world? Why must a 5'11" man wear a size 13 shoe? I feel like Shaquille O'Neal.

"Do you have this in a size 13?"

"No sir, freaks like you should shop at the big and tall store. This store is for normal people."

Shoe size

Originally Posted by fubba28

. What annoys me is how different the sizing is these days. I used to wear a size 11 1/2 shoe, and that was the only size I bought. Nowadays, I wear anywhere between a 10 1/2 and a 13 1/2. What happened to the world? Why must a 5'11" man wear a size 13 shoe? I feel like Shaquille O'Neal.

"Do you have this in a size 13?"

"No sir, freaks like you should shop at the big and tall store. This store is for normal people."

Man, can I relate to the problem of varying sizes. How did all these shoe lasts suddenly vary in size? Globalization and translation issues?

Do you imagine the universe is agitated?
Go into the desert at night and look out at the stars,
This practice should answer the question... Lao Tzu

My vote for the money is Merrel Moab. Under 2 lbs and got them under $100 bucks at Campmor.com; EMS sells them for $125. This is my second pair, over the past decade or so. I previosly wore North Face, Tmberland, EMS and Hi-Techs which all had some good, and not so good, qualities but this is the first pair I bought again and intend to keep buying until they fail me.

I put my first pair out to pasture after finishing an AT section in Massachusetts this June that witnessed 3 T-storms in 24 hours and had me climbing, and descending, Race Mt. and Mt. Everett in waterfall-like conditions. They provided great support and stuck to the rocks I was climbing upon despite being four years old and seeing regular wearing. note- My foot runs narrow and many other boots prove too loose and cause blistering and toe nail issues.

I have a buddy who uses a set of DocMartin boots and swears by them. A bit heavy but this guy is hard on gear and they just keep going. I personally bought a set of nice redwings (I have skinny feet and they make narrow widths that work well.) I thought they might go a couple years but 12 plus years of daily wear and they are still going strong. I treat them monthly in the winter and as needed in the summer and I use them for work/everything.

I wouldn't want to try bouldering or ice climbing in them but trail walking OH YEAH! They wen't from village to village all across the Andes from 8,000'-15,000'+ for 7 years and did everything I asked them too.

Do you have a size and weight on your Skills? I've been eyeing Zamberlan boots and the 308 Trekker, 310 Skill and 198 Tundra are on my short list.

"There are places in this world that are neither here nor there, neither up nor down, neither real nor imaginary. These are the in-between places, difficult to find and even more challenging to sustain." - Thomas Moore

I have a pair of Lowa Renegades right now and while a decent boot I'm finding the toebox to be a bit small.

"There are places in this world that are neither here nor there, neither up nor down, neither real nor imaginary. These are the in-between places, difficult to find and even more challenging to sustain." - Thomas Moore